Real Madrid's assistant coach played alongside the former Inter, Barcelona and Blancos striker during his playing days at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the pair part of the same Madrid side who lifted La Liga back in 2003.

In a programme broadcast on French television station Telefoot, Zidane was joined by Roberto Carlos and current Real striker Karim Benzema in showering Ronaldo with praise as they looked back on his glorious career.

"The best striker, the best player I’ve ever played with," Zidane said.

Benzema added: "He is the best striker of all-time. He knows everything, dribbling, scoring… you have to be inspired by such players. He made me dream and will always make me dream."

Carlos, a former club and international team-mate of Ronaldo's, concluded by revealing how the 37-year-old changed the art of forward play forever.

"Ronaldo is as important as the president. Before him, we only had penalty box strikers, but when Ronaldo got the ball, he dribbled and scored. He did one versus one, delivered crosses and knew how to finish off opportunities. That is why he was called 'Fenomeno'."